Football: Lesson plan changes with new coaches
By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer
This story originally published Thursday, Sept. 3 on page C1 in the Star-News sports section
New high school football coaches anticipate a challenging season. After all, change can be difficult.
Whether it comes at a program with an established identity like Temple City or La Cañada high schools or at Pasadena, Duarte and Keppel where there's seemingly little continuity, these coaches are willing to face the issues head on.
Anthony White's biggest challenge coming to Temple City was taking over a program that is used to running things a certain way.
For more than a decade, Randy Backus was the steady hand at the helm. He served two seasons as head coach, but also had great influence as one of former head coach Mike Mooney's top assistants.
Backus was relieved of his duties late last season just as the Rams were beginning their improbable run to the semifinals of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.
It took longer than expected, but the Temple City Unified School District gambled on the baby-faced White, who at 27 became one of the youngest head football coaches in recent history.
It didn't take long before White realized he needed to surround himself by a veteran coaching staff to help maintain the Rams' rich tradition, even if it meant altering Temple City's smash-mouth trademark style.
He spent the summer and fall practices turning parents into believers of the spread offense formation he installed. It's now a wait-and-see approach as the Rams open the season next week (Sept. 11) against Arroyo.
White concedes there is some pressure to perform, but added he's confident with his abilities and grateful for the support of his administration and veteran coaching staff.
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"A lot of kids love it, they love change," White said. "They love the updated offense. We had more players asking about trying out for receiver than we had in the last 50 years. The parents sometimes watch practice and try to see what we're about this season.
"I understand there's a ton of pressure coming to a program like Temple City, but at the same time I am confident in my ability."
A former Wendy's National High School Heisman, White played strong safety at Utah under Urban Meyer, now the head coach for the top-ranked Florida Gators.
It's an experience White's sure to draw upon as he gets ready to begin the season.
At Pasadena, Mike McFarland doesn't have Temple City's success to build upon.
A former Muir and Occidental assistant coach, McFarland's greatest challenge is building from within before making lofty expectations.
"A lot of times when there's not a level of success that has been achieved the passion isn't there," McFarland said. "It's human nature, not just in sports. If you're not being successful people don't get excited. It's the most important thing, to generate that passion.
"The passion comes when players start seeing themselves (as) successful. When they know things are headed in the right direction and feel themselves (as) the player they want to become, then you start to get guys with passion."
Pasadena went 17-26 in four years under Kevin Mills, who resigned at the end of last season.
McFarland, a tight ends coach at Missouri Western University last year, is hoping his players soon will buy into what he's emphasizing.
"It's been a work in progress," he said. "There's ups and downs. We've battled demons here for the first few months with kids in terms of consistency not only in performance but attendance and the effort; some of those things are related to perhaps the past and maybe past disappointments, but I can't put it all on that.
"What we as coaches have talked about is our players need to get closer to success and see it and feel it, and when that happens that's when you start to get more of a buy-in."
Duarte coach Tip Sanders revived the Marshall and Blair programs before moving on to coach the Falcons a few months ago.
He didn't seem to get a chance right off the bat to win over players, who were disappointed when Wardell Crutchfield was fired after school officials decided they wanted to go in a new direction. The decision came after a Falcons quarterfinals run in the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.
Sanders said he'll work with what he has and is focused on developing the younger talent.
Dan Yoder was having fun coaching a group of players without having to deal with the spotlight.
But that all changed when Rich Wheeler, the school's longest-serving coach, resigned after 12 years as the Spartans football coach.
Enter Yoder.
He was the junior varsity coach the past four years. He's also been a history teacher at La Cañada the past five years.
"I really didn't expect to see it happen this fast," Yoder said. "It's always something I thought about but I really enjoyed my (junior varsity) experience, both as the head coach who got to call the shots and also that you're the JV guy; it's a little less of scrutiny coming down on you."
Wheeler's resignation moved Yoder's plans ahead of schedule in becoming a head coach.
"I wouldn't say I planned on this right away, it's just sort of the way it played out."
Something else Yoder hadn't planned was heading into next week's opener against Alhambra with a slew of canceled practices as well as a scrimmage due to poor air quality from the Station Fire.
It's a challenge Keppel coach Bobby Madrid had also not anticipated.
His priority was moving the Aztecs program forward after Raul Solis resigned after his first season and putting an end to that dreadful 37-game losing streak.
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Reno is from the Bakersfield area and owns a van conversion shop. He is no way affliated with Rosemead High School but at least can count to 11.
As much as I hate TC. I respect Coach White and those Rams, we made the last play but you Could just see how Coach White got his team to come out the second half and pouf us. Coach white and TC don't Hang your head something tells me we will see you again! Go Knights
TC at least post for their players, then not post a thing like Rosemead. Reno get on your coaches at your school
The Rams are huge up front according to Max Preps. Ruckle must have been pounding some serious weight to be 190 lbs. As my old OL Coach used to say, "Ah C'mon... you're killing me." There is no way that the Rams are that big and skilled. Big Lineman in the Spread that are asked to run around all night doesn't work that well. Excuse me I'm wrong; its working wonders at Michigan. Inflated numbers have been around since Knute Rockne. Ruckle is 5'7" and 165 lbs. In other words, he is a good high school back. Don't beleive everything that you read.
Temple City running the spread offense??????
I dont want to sound negative but Temple city is a power running team. They grind you out and get those short yardages with their big and strong offensive line. If you would say monrovia,duarte, Muir, pasadena, even blair for that matter were gonna run the spread offense, I'd say "that might work by mid-season" but T.C. is not known for their speed. I dont see this offense working out for T.C.
Still bigger that Arroyo's guy's!
curious g,
I'm talkin starting line.
240,225,230,255,260 tallest at 6"1
Golden,
"Not great size'?
I was peeping out MAXpreps on the TC roster,
and seen nothing but size GA!
I even saw a couple 300lb+ guys
What the heck you feeding them big boys GA?
The Hat Pastrami's everyday?
Take a deep breathe buddy the Rams are too big upfront,
too much for the Knights to handle.
If your boy's come out and hold there ground early,
you guy's should get the victory!
Looking to watch a good game, good luck!
Much speculation and much crystal ball.
All interesting and all worthy of discussion over many cold ones at the Boat.
McKay's skill at understanding and directing the Spread and the staff's ability to effectively utilize the personnel we have - will be key on Offense. Mid-stream adjustments and play calling seem hugely important this season.
On D it is the simple equation people are already ragging me about "In Chou We Trust". I'm sticking to it. We are young, but we have good skill up front, though not great size.
The era of new direction begins.
A good coach doesn't decide, "I wanna run a Spread Offense!" He uses a base set then adjusts and evolves to fit his weapons and potential flaws!
This is NOT the first TC has seen the "Spread Offense!" In 2000 and 2001, with Malzinski at QB, Desmond Reid Wide and 2 different impressive RBs in the backfield, TC was dominant in the SGV! I think they set the scoring record for the Rio Hondo League in 2001.
Over the years at TC, Mike Mooney ran the Spread offense when he had the weapons and went to the power offense when he had the big powerful line up front. I've even seen both from him in one game. That's why he's had so much success at TC and now San Marino.
Not necessarily a TC fan but I do remember my kid playing against TC in 00' and 01' Rough times!!!
Coaching is TOUGH! Good Luck Coach White. And all the other around the area.
I know Ray Hernandez ran a traditional 4-3 and they ran that until Mark Paramo and Gil Gimenez took the St. Paul defense over there. I do not think they were odd front until those coaches got there. that is why I said 2 years ago.
I don't think you can make the assumption that Rosemead's 3-4 defense is there base! In fact, your better off arguing that Rosemead is an odd front defense, that adjusts week to week based on their opponent! If you saw any of there summer practices they were in the 50 front, and everything else is derived from that defense. The only assumption i would make, is that because so many damn teams run the spread offense, Rosemead and their coaching staff run a 3-4, 3-5-3, or some time of dime or nickel package to combat the spread! To be quite honest, i don't know if rosemead even has a base. If you were at the South Hills game, the panthers were in a four man front, and if i am not mistaken they also came out in their goal line a few times at mid-field!
Anonymous I would not go that far the 4-3 def is exactly what Rosemead has been running for years before switching to the 3-4 2 years ago and Utah is known for its spread offense. I think the TC coach first got Jude Oliva from SG, who also runs spread so that should show where he wanted to go and what he wanted TC to run. I also share your concern for coaches leaving but that happens at all programs coaches that jump from school to school leave a bad taste in the SGV and City for that matter.
Temple City and Coach White is who I'm rooting for this upcoming season! Best wishes and Good luck
I dont believe the TC coach has installed anything at the school. He hired coaches to install their systems, the problem being that if one or both coordinators leave, they presumedly take their systems with them. Which suggests that TC would have to start all over again with scheme, which might stall any momentum TC builds this year. Hopefully it works out for TC & good luck to all the brand new coaches in the area.